The United States has strongly declared that Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group, should not be part of Lebanon’s next government. U.S. Deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus made this declaration on Friday in Lebanon, stating that the U.S. draws a “red line” against Hezbollah’s participation in the next government.
Ortagus’s Visit and Declaration
Ortagus, visiting Lebanon for the first time as a senior U.S. official since U.S. President Donald Trump took office and since Joseph Aoun was elected president in Lebanon, said she was “not afraid” of Iran-backed Hezbollah “because they’ve been defeated militarily,” referring to last year’s war between the group and Israel. She reiterated that the U.S. has set clear red lines banning Hezbollah’s participation in government.
Hezbollah stalls Cabinet Formation
Her visit and declaration come amid a stalled cabinet formation process in Lebanon, where government posts are apportioned on sectarian lines. Hezbollah’s ally Amal has insisted on approving all Shi’ite Muslim ministers, keeping the process in deadlock.
According to Ortagus, the declaration is to prevent the Shi’ite group, which was defeated last year by Israel, from “terrorizing the Lebanese people, and that includes by being a part of the government.”
Hezbollah, the Post-Conflict Situation, and the February 18th Deadline
Ortagus’s visit was widely anticipated to deliver a tough message to Lebanese officials about Hezbollah, which was battered by months of Israeli air strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon last year. She also made reference to the 60-day deadline set during ceasefire negotiations for Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon, Hezbollah to pull out its fighters and arms, and Lebanese troops to deploy to the area. The deadline has been moved to February 18th.
Ortagus referred to the new date on Friday but did not explicitly say the Israeli army (IDF) would withdraw from Lebanese territory. “February 18 will be the date for redeployment, when the IDF troops will finish their redeployment, and of course, the (Lebanese) troops will come in behind them, so we are very committed to that firm date,” she said.
Ortagus is expected to meet Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri – who also heads Amal – and make a trip to southern Lebanon with the Lebanese army.
Conclusion
Ortagus’s strong stance and the U.S.’s declared “red line” against Hezbollah’s inclusion in the Lebanese government significantly raises the stakes in the ongoing cabinet formation process. The outcome will have profound implications for Lebanon’s political stability and its relationship with both the U.S. and its regional rivals. The February 18th deadline adds further pressure, highlighting the complexities and potential for further conflict in the region.
